In an effort to improve student achievement in low-performing districts, 22 states have developed academic bankruptcy laws, allowing them to intervene in districts that consistently fail to satisfy state education performance standards. This policy brief presents an overview of these statutes. The text offers a comparative summary of state takeover provisions, the pros and cons of academic bankruptcy and emerging themes from the literature, and how three states have moved forward with the implementation of their statutes. The academic bankruptcy/intervention policies for the 22 states are presented in a grid so as to allow for easier comparison among states. The information includes a statute number of state board policy, the state policy regarding processes before takeover occurs, the transfer of students, audit teams, interim administrators, the removal of the superintendent, whether the state board has the power to consolidate or dissolve schools, whether the state can withhold funding, whether the public must be notified about the status of low-performing schools, and an overview of each state's law. Some key themes, such as changes in governance, the impact on teaching and learning, and incentives and sanctions, as well as what actually happens when a state intervenes, are also provided. (RJM)